MID-TWENTIETH CENTURY DERMATOLOGISTS, EVENTS, AND DISCOVERIES

The Society for Investigative Dermatology
was born into a hostile world. Many of the
dermatologic elite felt threatened by the young
Turks who created the organization and presided
at its delivery. For one thing, some of the most
prominent among the new breed - Marion
Sulzberger, William Becker, and Samuel Peck -
chose to train in Europe, an educational decision
the old guard considered both unnecessary and a
demeaning relic of the past. Xenophobia,
resentment of the new immigrants who were
enthusiastic supporters of the venture, also played
a significant role. But a sturdy cadre of
unassailably American dermatologists with the
highest of credentials put their reputations on the
line in support, and the "SID" came into being at
an organizational meeting held at the Hotel
Dennis in Atlantic City, June 10, 1937. Less than
a year later the Society could point with pride to a
membership of 435. The names of the founding
members and the signatures appended to the
certificate of incorporation that put the legal
finishing touches on the organization are shown
to the left.